Picole, Wapping Wharf – ‘With wine galore, Picole left us hungry for more’ – restaurant review

Newly opened Picole boasts a menu full of wines from across the globe and tapas-style plates rich with flavour and soul.

While sat inside the cosy, converted shipping container in Wapping Wharf, our tastebuds were taken on a journey around the world with a variety of flavours of grapes.

Despite visiting on only the third night since Picole had been open, the fresh-faced chefs and staff ran the show like they’d been doing so for years.

While sat inside the cosy, converted shipping container in Wapping Wharf that previously contained Woky Ko Rooftop, our tastebuds were taken on a journey around the world

It was clear that word had got around the city on Tare‘s sister wine bar and restaurant. With expectations set high, every table was claimed on Friday evening and staff members seemed genuinely as delighted to be there as the customers.

Our attention was drawn to a blackboard filled with names of already open wines ready to dive into.

A smiley member of staff kindly offered a taster of a Spanish amber wine, Portela do Vento from Galicia, which had fruity orange tones.

As tasty as that was, we settled for a Greek red, Xi-Ro Ktima Ligas (£9 a glass).

We settled for a Greek red, Xi-Ro Ktima Ligas

Within half an hour of ordering two options from the snacks section and three of the small plates, the very reasonably priced dishes arrived. Beautifully presented and each the perfect quantity.

Perched on bar stools facing the kitchen, it lends itself to being an immersive dining experience, with food made fresh in front of our eyes.

First up the snacks, the olives (£4) were the juiciest we’d ever tasted, and the smoked sardines (£5) had a fresh and meaty consistency.

Within half an hour of ordering two options from the snacks section and three of the small plates, the dishes arrived

Staff skilfully navigated the small spaces around tables while the smooth grooves of Fat Freddy’s Drop played from the speakers.

Occasionally brushing arms with the person dining behind me exaggerated the fact it is an intimate space, but stepping in off cobbles covered in frost, I was grateful for the warmth.

The small plates of goodness combined with the lively atmosphere warmed both our bellies and souls.

The cauliflower arancini (£5) was certainly a culinary highlight. It was so good, we ordered it twice. “You’re not the first person to do that tonight,” a staff member chirped.

It was everything you could want from an arancini, crispy on the outside and fluffy and flavoursome on the inside. Topped with raisin puree, there was a perfect balance of savoury and sweet. Perfection.

It was everything you could ever want from an arancini

Opting for the vegetarian dishes did not disappoint. The French dish, fried pommes anna, came with a garlic mayonnaise dip (£5), a delightful combination which melted in our mouths.

The sprouting broccoli, with black garlic and quinoa (£7) had a beautiful al dente texture.

Opting for the vegetarian dishes did not disappoint

The lavish dining experience was made complete with two light and delicious desserts: orange tart, with creme fraiche (£7), which almost looked too good to eat.

The tart, which was bursting with punchy orange flavours, did a great job of cleansing the palate.

The lavish dining experience was made complete with two light and delicious desserts

My favourite of the two had to be the chocolate mousse, topped with honeycomb, olive oil and sea salt (£7).

By far the smoothest and richest moose, with the right amount of salt. I’ve had the pleasure of tasting.

The lavish dining experience was made complete with two light and delicious desserts

With wine and small dishes galore, it certainly left us hungry for more.

If you’re looking for somewhere cosy to wine and dine with staff who know their pinot noirs from their palominos. Picole is your place.

If you’re looking for somewhere cosy to wine and dine with staff who know their pinot noirs from their palominos. Picole is your place

Picole, Museum Street, Wapping Wharf, Bristol, BS1 6ZA
www.picolebristol.co.uk

All photos: Rachel Sutherland

Read next:

• Tare – restaurant review 
• New campaign encourages people to continue visiting Wapping Wharf 
• The Cheese Platter, Redland – ‘A cheese lover’s utopia’ – restaurant review 
• A-Z Bristol pub crawl: The Mason Arms, Stapleton 

Listen to the Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: